U.S. patent number 9,435,457 [Application Number 14/124,210] was granted by the patent office on 2016-09-06 for flow regulating valve.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Zhejiang Sanhua Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Ming Lv, Qingyong Wang, Xianrang Wei. Invention is credited to Ming Lv, Qingyong Wang, Xianrang Wei.
United States Patent |
9,435,457 |
Lv , et al. |
September 6, 2016 |
Flow regulating valve
Abstract
A flow regulating valve includes a valve seat and a shell
connected to the valve seat, a motor is provided in the shell, and
the motor is connected to a screw rod. The screw rod is connected
with a nut in a thread cooperation manner, the nut is connected
with a valve rod, and the valve rod is movable in an axial
direction to regulate an opening degree of a valve port on the
valve seat. The whole of the nut or a lower portion of the nut is
in clearance fit with the mounting groove in the valve rod in a
radial direction. An internal wall of the mounting groove is
provided with an annular position limiting groove, in which a
position limiting component is provided. The design of the flow
regulating valve is able to eliminate the coaxiality error between
the screw rod and the screw nut.
Inventors: |
Lv; Ming (Zhejiang Province,
CN), Wei; Xianrang (Zhejiang Province, CN),
Wang; Qingyong (Zhejiang Province, CN) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lv; Ming
Wei; Xianrang
Wang; Qingyong |
Zhejiang Province
Zhejiang Province
Zhejiang Province |
N/A
N/A
N/A |
CN
CN
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
Zhejiang Sanhua Co., Ltd.
(Zhejiang, CN)
|
Family
ID: |
47399948 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/124,210 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2012 |
PCT
Filed: |
June 26, 2012 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/CN2012/077516 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
December 05, 2013 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2013/000393 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
January 03, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20140097368 A1 |
Apr 10, 2014 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 27, 2011 [CN] |
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2011 1 0176275 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B
41/31 (20210101); F16K 31/504 (20130101); F16K
31/53 (20130101); F16K 31/508 (20130101); F16K
31/047 (20130101); F25B 41/35 (20210101); Y02B
30/70 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16K
1/02 (20060101); F16K 1/48 (20060101); F16K
31/04 (20060101); F16K 31/50 (20060101); F16K
31/53 (20060101); F25B 41/06 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;137/866,867
;251/129.11,215,264,267 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2775430 |
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2823701 |
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1985118 |
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Jun 2007 |
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CN |
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200580023202.7 |
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CN |
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201013922 |
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201265694 |
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CN |
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202149257 |
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Feb 2012 |
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CN |
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8004931 |
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Jan 1996 |
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JP |
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8-303638 |
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JP |
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2002310541 |
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JP |
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2009287769 |
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Dec 2009 |
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JP |
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20080098725 |
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KR |
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1555583 |
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Apr 1990 |
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SU |
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Other References
Extended European search report dated Jan. 29, 2015 from
corresponding European Application No. 12805233. cited by applicant
.
International Search Report dated Oct. 4, 2012 from corresponding
International Application No. PCT/CN2012/077516. cited by applicant
.
International Search Report dated Oct. 4, 2012 from potentially
related International Application No. PCT/CN2012/077522. cited by
applicant .
International Search Report dated Oct. 4, 2012 from potentially
related International Application PCT/CN2012/077519. cited by
applicant .
International Search Report dated Sep. 27, 2012 from potentially
related International Application No. PCT/CN2012/077508. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Tietjen; Marina
Assistant Examiner: MacKay-Smith; Seth W
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks,
P.C.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A flow regulating valve, comprising: a valve seat and a shell
connected to the valve seat, wherein a motor is provided in the
shell, and the motor is connected to a screw rod via an output
shaft of the motor; the screw rod is connected with a nut in a
thread cooperation manner; and the nut is connected with a valve
rod, and the valve rod is movable in an axial direction to regulate
an opening degree of a valve port on the valve seat; and wherein
the valve rod is provided therein with a mounting groove, and the
whole of the nut or a lower portion of the nut is in clearance fit
with the mounting groove in a radial direction; and an internal
wall of the mounting groove is provided with an annular position
limiting groove, and a position limiting component that limits an
axial position of the nut and in clearance fit with an exterior
portion of the nut is provided in the annular position limiting
groove; and one of a bottom wall of the mounting groove and a
bottom wall of the nut is provided with a circumferential position
limiting groove, the other one is provided with a position limiting
projection, and the position limiting projection is provided in the
circumferential position limiting groove.
2. The flow regulating valve according to claim 1, wherein the
position limiting component comprises a snap ring, and a
circumferential side wall of the nut is provided with a position
limiting step surface, and wherein the snap ring is mounted in the
annular position limiting groove and is supported on the position
limiting step surface, and there is a gap between the internal wall
of the snap ring and a corresponding side wall of the nut.
3. The flow regulating valve according to claim 2, wherein the
position limiting component further comprises a check ring which is
sleeved and supported on the position limiting step surface in a
circumferential direction, and there is a gap between an internal
wall of the check ring and a corresponding side wall of the nut;
and the snap ring is supported on the position limiting step
surface via the check ring.
4. The flow regulating valve according to claim 3, wherein a top
surface of the check ring is provided with a check ring step
surface, the snap ring is supported on the check ring step surface,
and there is a gap between an internal wall of the snap ring and a
corresponding side wall of the check ring.
5. The flow regulating valve according to claim 4, wherein the
whole of the nut is provided in the mounting groove; the output
shaft of the motor is connected with the screw rod via a gear
system, the gear system is supported on the gear seat which is
located in a valve cavity of the valve seat, and the screw rod is
passed through the gear seat and is in thread cooperation with the
nut; and a lower portion of the gear seat is provided with a first
position limiting portion, and an upper portion of the valve rod is
provided with a second position limiting portion which is
cooperated with the first position limiting portion such that the
position of the valve rod relative to the gear seat is
circumferentially limited and the valve rod is slidable in the
axial direction.
6. The flow regulating valve according to claim 3, wherein the
position limiting step surface is a first tapered surface, a bottom
surface of the check ring is a second tapered surface, and an
inclined angle of the first tapered surface is less than that of
the second tapered surface.
7. The flow regulating valve according to claim 6, wherein the
whole of the nut is provided in the mounting groove; the output
shaft of the motor is connected with the screw rod via a gear
system, the gear system is supported on the gear seat which is
located in a valve cavity of the valve seat, and the screw rod is
passed through the gear seat and is in thread cooperation with the
nut; and a lower portion of the gear seat is provided with a first
position limiting portion, and an upper portion of the valve rod is
provided with a second position limiting portion which is
cooperated with the first position limiting portion such that the
position of the valve rod relative to the gear seat is
circumferentially limited and the valve rod is slidable in the
axial direction.
8. The flow regulating valve according to claim 3, wherein the
whole of the nut is provided in the mounting groove; the output
shaft of the motor is connected with the screw rod via a gear
system, the gear system is supported on the gear seat which is
located in a valve cavity of the valve seat, and the screw rod is
passed through the gear seat and is in thread cooperation with the
nut; and a lower portion of the gear seat is provided with a first
position limiting portion, and an upper portion of the valve rod is
provided with a second position limiting portion which is
cooperated with the first position limiting portion such that the
position of the valve rod relative to the gear seat is
circumferentially limited and the valve rod is slidable in the
axial direction.
9. The flow regulating valve according to claim 2, wherein the
whole of the nut is provided in the mounting groove; the output
shaft of the motor is connected with the screw rod via a gear
system, the gear system is supported on the gear seat which is
located in a valve cavity of the valve seat, and the screw rod is
passed through the gear seat and is in thread cooperation with the
nut; and a lower portion of the gear seat is provided with a first
position limiting portion, and an upper portion of the valve rod is
provided with a second position limiting portion which is
cooperated with the first position limiting portion such that the
position of the valve rod relative to the gear seat is
circumferentially limited and the valve rod is slidable in the
axial direction.
10. The flow regulating valve according to claim 1, wherein the
valve rod comprises an injection molded body and a metal housing
wrapping the injection molded body, an inner cavity of an upper
portion of the injection molded body forms the mounting groove, and
the annular position limiting groove is provided on an internal
wall of the injection molded body.
11. The flow regulating valve according to claim 10, wherein the
whole of the nut is provided in the mounting groove; the output
shaft of the motor is connected with the screw rod via a gear
system, the gear system is supported on the gear seat which is
located in a valve cavity of the valve seat, and the screw rod is
passed through the gear seat and is in thread cooperation with the
nut; and a lower portion of the gear seat is provided with a first
position limiting portion, and an upper portion of the valve rod is
provided with a second position limiting portion which is
cooperated with the first position limiting portion such that the
position of the valve rod relative to the gear seat is
circumferentially limited and the valve rod is slidable in the
axial direction.
12. The flow regulating valve according to claim 1, wherein the
valve rod comprises an injection molded body and a metal housing
wrapping the injection molded body, wherein an inner side of a top
end portion of the metal housing is provided with a metal
projection, an inner cavity of an upper portion of the injection
molded body and an inner cavity of the metal projection form the
mounting groove, and the annular position limiting groove is
provided on an inner wall of the metal projection.
13. The flow regulating valve according to claim 12, wherein the
whole of the nut is provided in the mounting groove; the output
shaft of the motor is connected with the screw rod via a gear
system, the gear system is supported on the gear seat which is
located in a valve cavity of the valve seat, and the screw rod is
passed through the gear seat and is in thread cooperation with the
nut; and a lower portion of the gear seat is provided with a first
position limiting portion, and an upper portion of the valve rod is
provided with a second position limiting portion which is
cooperated with the first position limiting portion such that the
position of the valve rod relative to the gear seat is
circumferentially limited and the valve rod is slidable in the
axial direction.
14. The flow regulating valve according to claim 1, wherein the
whole of the nut is provided in the mounting groove; the output
shaft of the motor is connected with the screw rod via a gear
system, the gear system is supported on the gear seat which is
located in a valve cavity of the valve seat, and the screw rod is
passed through the gear seat and is in thread cooperation with the
nut; and a lower portion of the gear seat is provided with a first
position limiting portion, and an upper portion of the valve rod is
provided with a second position limiting portion which is
cooperated with the first position limiting portion such that the
position of the valve rod relative to the gear seat is
circumferentially limited and the valve rod is slidable in the
axial direction.
15. The flow regulating valve according to claim 14, wherein the
first position limiting portion is a noncircular special-shaped
cavity, and the second position limiting portion is a noncircular
special-shaped portion which is slidable in the axial direction and
is provided in the noncircular special-shaped cavity.
16. The flow regulating valve according to claim 14, wherein the
gear seat is provided with a plurality of first locating rod
members extended in an axial direction, and the first position
limiting portion is the first locating rod member; among the first
locating rod members, at least one group of adjacent first locating
rod members form a position limiting gap; and the second position
limiting portion is a second locating rod member provided on a side
wall of the valve rod, an upper portion of the valve rod is
extended into a space surrounded by the first locating rod members
in the circumferential direction, and the second locating rod
member is inserted in the position limiting gap.
17. The flow regulating valve according to claim 1, wherein the
whole of the nut is provided in the mounting groove; the output
shaft of the motor is connected with the screw rod via a gear
system, the gear system is supported on the gear seat which is
located in a valve cavity of the valve seat, and the screw rod is
passed through the gear seat and is in thread cooperation with the
nut; and a lower portion of the gear seat is provided with a first
position limiting portion, and an upper portion of the valve rod is
provided with a second position limiting portion which is
cooperated with the first position limiting portion such that the
position of the valve rod relative to the gear seat is
circumferentially limited and the valve rod is slidable in the
axial direction.
Description
The present application is the national phase of International
Application No. PCT/CN2012/077516, titled "FLOW REGULATING VALVE"
and filed on Jun. 26, 2012, which claims the benefit of priority to
Chinese patent application No. 201110176275.7, titled "FLOW
REGULATING VALVE" and filed with the Chinese State Intellectual
Property Office on Jun. 27, 2011, the entire disclosures of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present application relates to the technical field of the fluid
control component, in particular, to a flow regulating valve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The flow-adjusting valve is an important component of the
refrigeration system, and is another one of four fundamental
components of the refrigeration system besides the evaporator, the
compressor and the condenser. Operation process of the
flow-adjusting valve is generally as follows: with the energizing
or de-energizing of the coil device, the valve needle is driven to
adjust the opening degree of the valve port, so as to adjust the
flow of the refrigerant. Furthermore, the flow regulating valve is
widely used in other fluid control fields such as the hydraulic
system and the oil transportation fields.
In the prior art, a flow regulating valve is disclosed in Chinese
patent application No. 200580023202.7. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.
2, FIG. 1 is a structural schematic view of a flow regulating valve
in the prior art, and FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of the flow
regulating valve in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, a motor 70 is provided in the motor shell 62,
and the lower shell 60 of the motor shell 62 is connected in the
head portion 48 in a thread cooperation manner. As shown in FIG. 2,
the valve unit 40 includes a discharge piston 130 (equivalent to a
nut), and the discharge piston 130 has an internal thread and is
configured for housing a driving shaft 78 (equivalent to a screw
rod) which has an external thread. The discharge piston 130 is
extended a longe length in the axial direction, and is slidably
mounted in the sleeve 146 which is mounted in the lower shell 60.
The discharge piston 130 is limited by the sleeve 146 and cannot
rotate circumferentially. When the motor 70 drives the driving
shaft 78 having an external thread to rotate via a gear system,
since the discharge piston 130 cannot rotate circumferentially, it
can only move axially to thereby drive the valve unit 40 to
regulate the opening degree of the valve port on the valve seat 22.
However, the flow regulating valve in the prior art has the
following drawbacks:
Firstly, the valve unit 40 includes a rear component 94 which is
connected in a middle component 96 in a thread cooperation manner.
Thereby the axial position of the discharge piston 130 is limited.
As shown in FIG. 2, since the discharge piston 130 needs to close
or open a small valve port 120b, the discharge piston 130 should
not wobble in the radial direction. That is, not gap is formed
between the discharge piston 130 and the rear component 94 or the
middle component 96 in the radial direction. Otherwise the sealing
performance in sealing the small valve port 120b will be affected.
The machining and assembling of the components and parts of the
valve body may cause a large coaxial error, resulting in a large
coaxial error between the driving shaft 78 and the discharge piston
130. Since the discharge piston 130 cannot wobble in the radial
direction, the driving shaft is likely to get stuck.
Secondly, the rear component 94 is connected with the middle
component 96 through threads, as the discharge piston 130 and the
valve unit 40 are moved in the axial direction, the thread
cooperation may become loosened, resulting in a low reliability in
axially limiting the discharge piston 130.
Thirdly, the discharge piston 130 needs to be fixed in the sleeve
146 of the lower shell 60, such that it is circumferentially
limited by the sleeve 146 and thus cannot be rotated. In view of
this, the length of the portion of the discharge piston 130 that is
protruded out of the valve unit 40 should be sufficient such that
it can be extended into the sleeve 146. In this structure
configuration, the driving shaft 78 cooperated with the discharge
piston 130 also has a large length, therefore the driving shaft 78
has a large deflection, and it is difficult to ensure the coaxial
degree between the discharge piston 130 and the driving shaft 78
when assembling the same, and if they are not assembled in proper,
the resistance moment will be increased, and moreover, the driving
shaft 78 will get stuck.
Fourthly, as is described above, it requires that the discharge
piston 130 be protruded out of the valve unit 40 at a sufficient
length such that it can be extended into the sleeve 146.
Accordingly, the driving shaft 78 and the lower shell 60 have large
lengths in the axial direction. Thereby the material cost is
increased.
In view of this, there is an urgent demand for the person skilled
in the art to make an improvement to the flow regulating valve in
the prior art, such that, on the one hand, the coaxial error
between the screw rod and the nut, resulting from the machining and
assembling of the components and parts, can be eliminated, and on
the other hand, the axial position of the nut can be limited more
reliably.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A problem to be solved by the present application is to provide a
flow regulating valve, with the structure configuration of the flow
regulating valve, on the one hand, the coaxial error between the
screw rod and the nut, resulting from the machining and assembling
of the components and parts, can be eliminated, and on the other
hand, the axial position of the nut can be limited more
reliably.
In view of the above, it is provided according to the present
application a flow regulating valve which includes a valve seat and
a shell connected to the valve seat, among which, a motor is
provided in the shell, and the motor is connected to a screw rod
via an output shaft of the motor; the screw rod is connected with a
nut in a thread cooperation manner; and the nut is connected with a
valve rod, and the valve rod is movable in an axial direction to
regulate an opening degree of a valve port on the valve seat; and
wherein the valve rod is provided therein with an mounting groove,
and the whole of the nut or a lower portion of the nut is in
clearance fit with the mounting groove in a radial direction; and
an internal wall of the mounting groove is provided with an annular
position limiting groove, and a position limiting component that
limits an axial position of the nut and in clearance fit with an
exterior portion of the nut is provided in the annular position
limiting groove.
Preferably, the position limiting component includes a snap ring,
and a circumferential side wall of the nut is provided with a
position limiting step surface. The snap ring is mounted in the
annular position limiting groove and is supported on the position
limiting step surface, and there is a gap between the internal wall
of the snap ring and a corresponding side wall of the nut.
Preferably, the position limiting component further includes a
check ring which is sleeved and supported on the position limiting
step surface in a circumferential direction, and there is a gap
between an internal wall of the check ring and a corresponding side
wall of the nut; and the snap ring is supported on the position
limiting step surface via the check ring.
Preferably, a top surface of the check ring is provided with a
check ring step surface, the snap ring is supported on the check
ring step surface, and there is a gap between an internal wall of
the snap ring and a corresponding side wall of the check ring.
Preferably, the position limiting step surface is a first tapered
surface, a bottom surface of the check ring is a second tapered
surface, and an inclined angle of the first tapered surface is less
than that of the second tapered surface.
Preferably, one of a bottom wall of the mounting groove and a
bottom wall of the nut is provided with a circumferential position
limiting groove, the other one is provided with a position limiting
projection, and the position limiting projection is provided in the
circumferential position limiting groove.
Preferably, the valve rod includes an injection molded body and a
metal housing wrapping the injection molded body, an inner cavity
of an upper portion of the injection molded body forms the mounting
groove, and the annular position limiting groove is provided on an
internal wall of the injection molded body.
Preferably, the valve rod includes an injection molded body and a
metal housing wrapping the injection molded body. An inner side of
a top end portion of the metal housing is provided with a metal
projection, an inner cavity of an upper portion of the injection
molded body and an inner cavity of the metal projection form the
mounting groove, and the annular position limiting groove is
provided on an inner wall of the metal projection.
Preferably, the whole of the nut is provided in the mounting
groove; the output shaft of the motor is connected with the screw
rod via a gear system, the gear system is supported on the gear
seat which is located in a valve cavity of the valve seat, and the
screw rod is passed through the gear seat and is in thread
cooperation with the nut; and a lower portion of the gear seat is
provided with a first position limiting portion, and an upper
portion of the valve rod is provided with a second position
limiting portion which is cooperated with the first position
limiting portion such that the position of the valve rod relative
to the gear seat is circumferentially limited and the valve rod is
slidable in the axial direction.
Preferably, the first position limiting portion is a noncircular
special-shaped cavity, and the second position limiting portion is
a noncircular special-shaped portion which is slidable in the axial
direction and is provided in the noncircular special-shaped
cavity.
Preferably, the gear seat is provided with a plurality of first
locating rod members extended in an axial direction, and the first
position limiting portion is the first locating rod member; among
the first locating rod members, at least one group of adjacent
first locating rod members form a position limiting gap; and the
second position limiting portion is a second locating rod member
provided on a side wall of the valve rod, an upper portion of the
valve rod is extended into a space surrounded by the first locating
rod members in the circumferential direction, and the second
locating rod member is inserted in the position limiting gap.
On the basis of the prior art, the valve rod of the flow regulating
valve according to the present application is provided therein with
an mounting groove, and the whole of the nut or the lower portion
of the nut is in clearance fit with the mounting groove in the
radial gap. The inner wall of the mounting groove is provided with
an annular position limiting groove, and a position limiting
component that limits the axial position of the nut and in
clearance fit with the exterior portion of the nut is provided in
the annular position limiting groove. In the present application,
since the whole of the nut or the lower portion of the nut is in
clearance fit with the mounting groove in the radial direction, and
the position limiting component is in clearance fit with the nut in
the radial direction, after being assembled, the nut may be driven
under the action of the screw rod to wobble radially in a small gap
in the valve rod. Thus the coaxial error between the screw rod and
the nut, resulting from the machining and assembling of the
components and parts, can be eliminated, and the phenomenon in
which the screw rod gets stuck can further be avoided.
Furthermore, in the present application, since the internal wall of
the mounting groove is provided with an annular position limiting
groove, a position limiting component is mounted in the annular
position limiting groove, and the nut is axially limited through
the position limiting component, this kind of position limiting
structure can avoid the loosening problem of the thread cooperation
connection manner, and thus the reliability of the structure in
limiting the axial position of the nut is improved.
Above all, with the flow regulating valve according to the present
application, on the one hand, the coaxial error between the screw
rod and the nut, resulting from the machining and assembling of the
components and parts, can be eliminated, and on the other hand, the
axial position of the nut can be limited more reliably.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a structural schematic view of a flow regulating valve in
the prior art;
FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of the flow regulating valve in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a structural schematic view of a flow regulating valve in
a first embodiment of the present application;
FIG. 4 is a structural schematic view of a valve rod of the flow
regulating valve in FIG. 3;
FIG. 4-1 is a sectional view of the valve rod in FIG. 4;
FIG. 4-2 is an exploded view of the valve rod in FIG. 4-1;
FIG. 4-3 is a partial enlarged view of part A of the valve rod in
FIG. 4-1;
FIG. 4-4 is an assembling schematic view of a check ring and a nut
of the valve rod in FIG. 4-1;
FIG. 5 is a structural schematic view of a valve rod in a second
embodiment of the present application;
FIG. 5-1 is a sectional view of the valve rod in FIG. 5;
FIG. 5-2 is an exploded view of the valve rod in FIG. 5;
FIG. 5-3 is a partial enlarged view of part B of the valve rod in
FIG. 5-1;
FIG. 6 is a structural schematic view of a gear seat cooperated
with the valve rod in FIG. 4; and
FIG. 7 is a structural schematic view of a gear seat cooperated
with the valve rod in FIG. 5.
Corresponding relationships among the reference numbers and the
component in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are as follows: 62 motor shell; 70
motor; 48 head portion; 40 valve unit; 130 discharge piston; 78
driving shaft; 146 sleeve; 60 lower shell; 22 valve seat; 94 rear
component; 96 middle component; 120b small valve port.
Corresponding relationships among the reference numbers and the
component in FIG. 3 to FIG. 7 are as follows: 1 valve seat; 11
upper valve seat; 12 lower valve seat; 13 sleeve; 2 shell; 21
motor; 22 gear system; 3 screw rod; 4 nut; 41 position limiting
step surface; 42 position limiting projection; 5 valve rod; 51
mounting groove; 52 annular position limiting groove; 53 position
limiting component; 531 snap ring; 532 check ring; 532a check ring
step surface; 532b second tapered surface; 54 circumferential
position limiting groove; 55 injection molded body; 56 metal
housing; 56a metal projection; 57 noncircular special-shaped
portion; 58 second locating rod member; 6 gear seat; 61 noncircular
special-shaped cavity; 62 first locating rod member; 63 position
limiting gap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A spirit of the present application is to provide a flow regulating
valve, with the structure configuration of the flow regulating
valve, on the one hand, the coaxial error between the screw rod and
the nut, resulting from the machining and assembling of the
components and parts, can be eliminated, and on the other hand, the
axial position of the nut can be limited more reliably.
In order that those skilled in the art can better understand
technical solutions of the present application, the present
application is described in detail hereinafter in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings and the embodiments.
Preferring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 4-4, FIG. 3 is a structural schematic
view of a flow regulating valve according to a first embodiment of
the present application; FIG. 4 is a structural schematic view of a
valve rod of the flow regulating valve in FIG. 3; FIG. 4-1 is a
sectional view of the valve rod in FIG. 4; FIG. 4-2 is an exploded
view of the valve rod in FIG. 4-1; FIG. 4-3 is a partial enlarged
view of part A of the valve rod in FIG. 4-1; and FIG. 4-4 is an
assembling schematic view of a check ring and a nut of the valve
rod in FIG. 4-1.
In the basic technical solution, the flow regulating valve
according to the present application includes a valve seat 1 and a
shell 2 connected to the valve seat 1. A motor 21 is provided in
the shell 2, and an output shaft of the motor 21 is in transmission
connection with the screw rod 3 via the gear system 22 supported on
the gear seat 6, thus the screw rod 3 is rotated with the output
shaft of the motor 21. The screw rod 3 is connected with the nut 4
in a thread cooperation manner, and the nut 4 is connected to the
valve rod 5. As the output shaft of the motor 21 is rotated, the
screw rod 3 is rotated, and then the screw rod 3 drives the valve
rod 5 to move in the axial direction. Thereby the valve rod
regulates the opening degree of the valve port on the valve seat
1.
On basis of the above structure, referring to FIG. 4-1 to FIG. 4-2,
the valve rod 5 is provided therein with a mounting groove 51, and
the whole of the nut 4 or a lower portion of the nut 4 is in
clearance fit with the mounting groove 51 in a radial direction.
The internal wall of the mounting groove 51 is provided with an
annular position limiting groove 52, and a position limiting
component 53 that limits the axial position of the nut 4 and in
clearance fit with the exterior portion of the nut 4 is provided in
the annular position limiting groove 52.
In the present application, since the whole of the nut 4 or the
lower portion of the nut 4 is in clearance fit with the mounting
groove 51 in the radial direction, and the position limiting
component 53 is in clearance fit with the nut 4 in the radial
direction, after being assembled, the nut 4 may be driven under the
action of the screw rod 3 to wobble radially in a small gap in the
valve rod 5. Thus the coaxial error between the screw rod 3 and the
nut 4, resulting from the machining and assembling of the
components and parts, can be eliminated, and the phenomenon in
which the screw rod gets stuck can further be avoided.
Furthermore, in the present application, since the internal wall of
the mounting groove 51 is provided with an annular position
limiting groove 52, and a position limiting component 53 is mounted
in the annular position limiting groove 52, the nut 4 is axially
limited through the position limiting component 53, therefore this
kind of position limiting structure can avoid the loosening problem
of the thread cooperation connection manner, and thus the
reliability of the structure in limiting the axial position of the
nut 4 is improved.
It is to be noted that, the emphasis of the above basic technical
solution lies in how to connect the nut 4 to the valve rod 5, but
not in whether the nut 4 is integrally provided in the valve rod 5.
Thus, as long as the connection structure between the nut 4 and the
valve rod 5 in the present application is employed, regardless of
whether the nut 4 is integrally provided in the mounting groove 51
of the valve rod 5 as shown in FIG. 4-1, or only the lower portion
of the discharge piston 130 (corresponding to the nut 4 in the
present application) is provided in the valve unit 40
(corresponding to the valve rod 5 in the present application), it
should fall within the protection scope of the present
application.
Furthermore, it is to be noted that, as shown in FIG. 3, the valve
seat 1 may have a split structure, including an upper valve seat
11, a lower valve seat 12 and a sleeve 13. However, in the present
application, the structure of the valve seat 1 is not limited, the
valve seat 1 may be an integral member, that is, the upper valve
seat 11, the lower valve seat 12 and the sleeve 13 may be made into
one piece. Alternatively, the upper valve seat 11 and the lower
valve seat 12 may be made into one piece, and then forms together
with the sleeve 13 into the valve seat 1, which is not limited in
the present application.
In the above basic technical solution, the structure of the
position limiting component 53 may be configured in detail. For
example, as shown in FIG. 4-1, FIG. 4-2 and FIG. 4-3, the position
limiting component 53 includes a snap ring 531, the circumferential
side wall of the nut 4 is provided with a position limiting step
surface 41, and the snap ring 531 is mounted in the annular
position limiting groove 52 and is supported on the position
limiting step surface 41. There is a gap between the internal wall
of the snap ring 531 and the corresponding side wall of the nut 4.
As shown in FIG. 4-2, the snap ring 531 is opened such that it can
become contracted when suffering a force, and thus it can be
conveniently mounted in the annular position limiting groove 52,
and after being mounted in the annular position limiting groove 52,
the snap ring 531 can restore to its original shape, to thereby be
further mounted and supported on the position limiting step surface
41, which structure configuration can limit the axial position of
the nut 4 conveniently, and has a simple structure and a low
cost.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4-1, FIG. 4-2 and FIG. 4-3, the position
limiting component 53 may further include a check ring 532. The
check ring 532 is mounted and supported on the position limiting
step surface 41 in the circumferential direction, and there is a
gap between the internal wall of the check ring and the
corresponding side wall of the nut 4; and the snap ring 531 is
supported on the position limiting step surface 41 via the check
ring 532. With the cooperative actions of the snap ring 531 and the
check ring 532, the reliability of the structure configuration in
limiting the axial position of the nut 4 can be further
improved.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4-3, there is a gap between the
internal wall of the check ring 532 and the corresponding side wall
of the nut 4, meanwhile there is a gap b between the internal wall
of the mounting groove 51 and the corresponding side wall of the
nut 4, the concurrence of the two gaps can make the nut 4 radially
wobble in the mounting groove 51 in a small gap. Furthermore, as
shown in FIG. 4-3, there is a gap c between the internal wall of
the snap ring 531 and the side wall of the corresponding check ring
532, and with the gap c, the snap ring 531 can be conveniently
mounted in the annular position limiting groove 52.
Above all, with the structure configuration of the snap ring 531
and the check ring 532, on the one hand, the nut 4 can be
conveniently wobbled in the radial direction in a small gap, and on
the other hand, the reliability of limiting the axial position of
the nut 4 can be further improved.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4-4, the position limiting step
surface 41 is a first tapered surface, and the bottom surface of
the check ring 532 is a second tapered surface 532b; and, as shown
in FIG. 4-4, the inclined angle .beta. of the first tapered surface
is less than the inclined angle .alpha. of the second tapered
surface 532b. Since the inclined angle .beta. of the first tapered
surface is less than the inclined angle .alpha. of the second
tapered surface 532b, when the first tapered surface is contacted
with the second tapered surface 532b, the contact between them is a
line contact, rather than a surface contact, therefore the contact
area is small and the friction force between the first tapered
surface and the second tapered surface 532b is small. Thereby the
resistance restraining the nut 4 from wobbling radially can be
greatly decreased.
Furthermore, further improvements may be made in the above basic
technical solution. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4-2, the bottom
wall of the mounting groove 51 is provided with a circumferential
position limiting groove 54, and the bottom wall of the nut 4 is
provided with a position limiting projection 42. As shown in FIG.
4-1, the position limiting projection 42 is provided in the
circumferential position limiting groove 54, with which structure
configuration, the circumferential rotation of the nut 4 relative
to the valve rod 5 can be limited, and the structure is simple and
the processing is low-cost. Alternatively, the bottom wall of the
mounting groove 51 may be provided with a position limiting
projection 42, and the bottom wall of the nut 4 may be provided
with a circumferential position limiting groove 54, and it is
apparent that this kind of structure can also achieve the above
technical effect.
Further improvements may be made on the basis of the above basic
technical solution to thereby obtain the first embodiment according
to the present application. Specifically, in the first embodiment,
as shown in FIG. 4-1 and FIG. 4-2, the valve rod 5 includes an
injection molded body 55 and a metal housing 56 wrapping the
injection molded body 55. The inner cavity of the upper portion of
the injection molded body 55 forms the mounting groove 51, and the
annular position limiting groove 52 is provided on the internal
wall of the injection molded body 55. The formation manner and
machining process of the annular position limiting groove 52 are
simple, and the processing cost is low.
Furthermore, further improvements may be made on the basis of the
above basic technical solution to thereby obtain the second
embodiment according to the present application. Specifically,
referring to FIG. 5 to FIG. 5-3, FIG. 5 is a structural schematic
view of a valve rod in the second embodiment of the present
application; FIG. 5-1 is a sectional view of the valve rod in FIG.
5; FIG. 5-2 is an exploded view of the valve rod in FIG. 5; and
FIG. 5-3 is a partial enlarged view of part B of the valve rod in
FIG. 5-1.
It is to be noted that, the structure configuration of the valve
rod 5 in the second embodiment according to the present application
is substantially the same as that in the first embodiment according
to the present application, and the differences are that: in the
second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5-1 to FIG. 5-3, the inner side
of the top end portion of the metal housing 56 is provided with a
metal projection 56a; the inner cavity of the upper portion of the
injection molded body 55 and the inner cavity of the metal
projection 56a form the mounting grooves 51, and the annular
position limiting groove 52 is provided on the inner wall of the
metal projection 56a.
In the first embodiment described above, since the annular position
limiting groove 52 is provided on the injection molded body 55, the
injection molded body 55 is formed in the metal housing 56, and
then the valve rod 5 is clamped to machine the annular position
limiting groove 52. If the valve rod 5 is clamped during the
machining operation, the sealing surface formed by the portion of
the injection molded body 55 at the lower end of the valve rod 5
will be affected, which thereby will influence the sealing
performance of the valve rod 5.
While in the second embodiment, since the metal housing 56 is
machine-shaped before the injection molding, that is, the metal
projection 56a is provided with the annular position limiting
groove 52 before the injection molded body 55 being formed in the
metal housing 56, after the injection molded body 55 is formed,
there is no need to clamp the valve rod 5 to machine the annular
position limiting groove 52, thus the influence of the clamping on
the sealing surface formed by the portion of the injection molded
body 55 at the lower end of the valve rod 5 can be avoided, which
thus can ensure that the sealing performance of the valve rod 5
will not be influenced.
Further improvements may be made on the basis of any of the above
basic technical solutions. For example, referring to FIG. 4, FIG.
5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, FIG. 6 is a structural schematic view of a
gear seat cooperated with the valve rod in FIG. 4; and FIG. 7 is a
structural schematic view of a gear seat cooperated with the valve
rod in FIG. 5.
A lower portion of the gear seat 6 may be provided with a first
position limiting portion, and an upper portion of the valve rod 5
may be provided with a second position limiting portion which is
cooperated with the first position limiting portion, such that the
position of the valve rod 5 relative to the gear seat 6 is limited
in the circumferential direction and the valve rod 5 is slidable in
the axial direction. Based on this arrangement, the nut 4 can be
wholly provided in the mounting groove 51 of the valve rod 5, and
the nut 4 is limited both in the axial and circumferential
directions and is connected in the mounting groove 51.
Since the whole of the valve rod 5 is circumferentially limited
relative to the gear seat 6 and is slidable in the axial direction,
and the nut 4 is limited both in the axial and circumferential
directions and is connected in the mounting groove 51 of the valve
rod 1, as the screw rod 3 is rotated, the nut 4 drives the valve
rod 5 to slide in the axial direction, thereby the opening degree
of the valve port is adjusted by the valve rod 5.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the discharge piston 130 needs to be
fixed in the sleeve 146 of the lower shell 60, since the discharge
piston is limited by the sleeve 146 and thus cannot rotate
circumferentially, it requires that the discharge piston 130 be
protruded out of the valve unit 40 at a sufficient length such that
it can be extended into the sleeve 146. In this structure
configuration, the driving shaft 78 cooperated with the discharge
piston 130 also has a large length, therefore the driving shaft 78
has a large deflection, and it is difficult to ensure the coaxial
degree between the discharge piston 130 and the driving shaft 78
when assembling the same, and if they are assembled slantingly, the
resistance moment will be increased, and moreover, the driving
shaft 78 will get stuck.
While in the present application, instead of limiting the
circumferential position of the nut 4 directly, the circumferential
position of the whole valve rod 5 is directly limited by the gear
seat 6, and the nut 4 is limited both in the axial and
circumferential directions and is connected in the mounting groove
51 of the valve rod 1, therefore the nut 4 needs not to be
protruded out of the valve rod 5, and the nut 4 can be provided
within the valve rod 5. Thus the axial length of the nut 5 can be
greatly decreased, and thus the length of the screw rod 3 can be
greatly decreased and the deflection thereof can be decreased.
Thereby it is easy to ensure the coaxial degree error when
assembling the screw rod 3 and the nut 4, which in turn can prevent
the screw rod 3 from getting stuck.
In the above basic technical solutions, structures of the first
position limiting portion and the second position limiting portion
may be configured in detail. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the
first position limiting portion is a noncircular special-shaped
cavity 61; and as shown in FIG. 4, the second position limiting
portion is a noncircular special-shaped portion 57 which is
slidable in the axial direction and is provided in the noncircular
special-shaped cavity 61. The above structure conveniently achieves
the object that the valve rod 5 is limited and fixed in the
circumferential direction relative to the gear seat 6 and is
slidable in axial direction.
It is to be noted that, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, each of the
noncircular special-shaped cavity 61 and the noncircular
special-shaped portion 57 has a hexagonal shape, but their shapes
are not limited herein, any noncircular shape that can limit the
valve rod 5 such that it cannot be rotated relative to the gear
seat 6 should fall within the protection scope of the present
application.
As shown in FIG. 7, the gear seat 6 is provided with a plurality of
first locating rod members 62 extended in the axial direction, and
the first position limiting portion is the first locating rod
member 62. In the first locating rod members 62, the gap between at
least one group of adjacent first locating rod members 62 form a
position limiting gap 63. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the
gear seat 6 may be provided with four first locating rod members,
and two position limiting gaps 63 are formed by the four first
locating rod members. As shown in FIG. 5, the second position
limiting portion is the second locating rod member 58 provided on
the side wall of the valve rod 5, and on the basis of this
arrangement, the upper portion of the valve rod 5 is extended into
the space surrounded by the first locating rod members 62 in the
circumferential direction, and the second locating rod member 58 is
inserted into the position limiting gap 63. Apparently, with this
structure configuration, the valve rod 5 can also be limited and
fixed in the circumferential direction relative to the gear seat 6
and is also slidable in the axial direction. Meanwhile the gear
seat 6 is merely provided with several first locating rod members
62, and thus the material cost of the gear seat 6 can be greatly
decreased.
The flow regulating valve according to the present application is
introduced in detail through the above description. Specific
examples are employed to describe the principle and embodiments of
the present application. The description of the above embodiments
is only provided for the understanding of the method of the present
application and the core idea thereof. It should be noted that,
those skilled in the art may make many modifications and
improvements to the present application without departing from the
principle of the present application, and all these modifications
and improvements should fall within the protection scope of the
claims of the present application.
* * * * *